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This is a great little film that demonstrates everything that was fun about the Warner Brothers precodes. There are dance marathons, scams aplenty with Cagney's character at the center of them all - sometimes knowingly sometimes not, and that precode actress you'd just love to strangle - Claire Dodd.

Ruth (Mary Brian) is in love with Cagney's character, but Ruth's gold-digging mother Lil (Ruth Donelly) wants to make sure Ruth marries money. When Cagney is doing well, Lil's all for him as a future son-in-law. When he's not, she's after a photographer - " a 25000 dollar a year man" - as she describes him. The girls dress alike and Lil is always referring to herself and her daughter as "we", as in "we love you" or "we can't marry a pauper like that". Cagney plays an advertising promoter whose ideas sometimes work and sometimes don't, but always to comic effect. This film is not on DVD or VHS, so chances are you've never heard of it. Another interesting tidbit - Ruth Donelly and Mary Brian are actually only about ten years apart in age, yet play mother and daughter pretty effectively. Highly recommended for the silliness of it all.

Hard to Handle has James Cagney dusting off his role as con man that he debuted with in Blonde Crazy. That film was a bit more serious and had the virtue of Joan Blondell.

Here the Blondell role is split in two and Cagney deals with a mother/ daughter duo of Ruth Donnelly and Mary Brian. Like Blondell, Donnelly gives as good as she gets from Cagney.

Donnelly and Cagney were roughly the same age and Brian was about six years younger than Cagney. Ridiculous now when you think about Donnelly and Brian being mother and daughter. No film maker could get away with that casting now.

There's no real story to this film, Cagney moves from one con to another, skirting ever so close to illegality. Donnelly and Brian are alternately for and against him and not at the same time either at certain points.

It's a film that relies solely on the charm of Jimmy Cagney which is considerable. And it's the stuff Cagney was disputing with Jack Warner over.

His last con involved the marketing of grapefruit, from the man who made grapefruit tossing a national past time at breakfast/

Ignore the haters that didn't appreciate this unpolished gem from the gold digger era. It's Cagney in a romantic comedy as a low-grade con man, against a mother-daughter team in matching outfits looking to bag a rich husband. When his scams profit, mother Ruth Donnelly thinks he's a perfect mate for daughter Mary Brian, but when his fortunes turn as they often do, the ladies switch polarity. Donnelly never misses an opportunity to kick him while he's down, meanwhile Brian's passion for underdogs cools when he's in the black.

If you're looking for Cagney as a toughguy gangster this isn't it, although the film takes some timely, self-aware potshots at Cagney's image including grapefruit jokes. Here his schemes are mostly harmless like rigging a dance contest, and he's as likely to be scammed as he is to make a big score. I can see how his fans might be disappointed, but Cagney was also a song-and-dance man and a self-depricating comedian. Gold digger comedies, like crime-genre and noir, are filled with amoral characters and backstabbing frenemies but played for laughs. It's easy to forgive shady motives when the leads are wholesome Dick Powell and sunny Priscilla Lane. James Cagney on the otherhand has electricity and an edge that plays for darker characters. Here he's forced to rely on charm and guile - you may be waiting for him to bust up the joint and rub out his enemies, but gold digger heroes are lovers not fighters. This isn't his best fit, but "date movie" Cagney is the nicer guy who doesn't smash citrus in women's faces.

Ruth Donnelly anchors the meandering plot as the most gold digger-y character in a gold digger comedy. What kills the film is the casting of elegant Mary Brian who mostly stands around looking pretty. Her "inverse barometer" reactions to Cagney's ups and downs would have played better with a more sexual screen presence. She represents the female sexual urge, while mother Donnelly represents the brain, conflicted over bad-boy Cagney's tumultuous circumstances. They dress alike because they metaphorically are one woman, but also because it's funny hanging a lampshade on their mother-daughter bear trap. The clever subtext is that Cagney can't win the girl until he figures out how to appeal to both women's sensibilities at the same time.

Lefty Merrill (James Cagney) is a fast-talking scheming producer of dance marathons in California. When his partner steals all the money, he has nothing to pay the winners or the workers and he gets run out of the building. It's a scam anyways since he rigged it for his girlfriend Ruth Waters to win. His next scam is organizing a treasure hunt but the fair owner only planted two five dollar bills and the people tears the fair apart. Meanwhile, Ruth and her mother get kicked out of their room. Next, he finds them in New York City but Ruth has a new rich boyfriend. Lefty manages to get rich with more schemes and proposes to Ruth.

I like Cagney in this. His romance does need some work. Ruth needs to be an idealized girlfriend which drives him to do all these schemes. This pairing just isn't that appealing and has no juice. The mother has a more fascinating relationship with him than the daughter. Nevertheless, Cagney is the man and he is absolutely the bee's knees.

This film holds up really well and can still raise a laugh.The mother is hilarious as she sways to and from Cagney as a prospective husband for her daughter according to his financial position at the time. The film breezes along with some predictability but the sparkling script and entertaining cast more than compensate. A great pity that the film is unavailable but I recorded it on Channel 4 in the UK some years ago and was pleased that I have now finally got round to watching it! Set during the Depression era, the opening marathon dance scenes sequences capture the desperation of the poverty-stricken at that time who would do almost anything to get ahead.The power of advertising and the gullibility of the public are admirably portrayed with a tongue-in-cheek humour that constantly appearing throughout the film. I laughed out loud several times which has not always been the case when I have been watching so-called comedies of recent times!

It takes an actor of James Cagney's entertainment value and charisma, in order to make these low budget movies remotely memorable. His early work at "Warner Bros." doesn't have the variety of his later films at the studio but are great fun all the same!

"Hard to Handle" sums up Cagney to a tee! His seemingly unlimited energy helps him throughout the various complicated situations in which he finds himself. He's a lovable small time con artist who tries his luck with different "get rich quick" schemes. As in other films, he survives on his wits and determination.

The story is fairly loose but that isn't a problem. The humourous antics come thick and fast, leaving one overwhelmed by it all. Apart from James Cagney, it is Ruth Donnell who really shines as the wise-cracking mother of the decidedly dull leading lady.

See this film and have a ball.

James Cagney is better in the Roy del Ruth movies of this period. However, he was a dynamic, unstoppable force. He is believable here as a goodhearted con artist with a good heart.

He has some great scenes: In one, he runs down flight after flight of a winding staircase.

Mary Brian is the nominal leading lady. She's OK. But Ruth Donnelly is really Cagney's co-star here. Playing Brian's avaricious, canny mother, she is hilarious. Nobody can put one over on her. If anyone tries, she'll bounce right back. She'll change her tune. She'll double-cross and triple-cross to get what she wants for herself and her pretty daughter.

Donnelly was a reliable supporting performer in more movies than anyone could easily count. Rarely did she get such a role. She grabs it and runs with it. She and Cagney are fantastic together. It's a shame they were never teamed again.

Hard to Handle (1933)

** (out of 4)

James Cagney plays a hustler who fixes contests where the winners get a small amount of money while he makes it rich. Once again we get Cagney playing a fast talker and for the most part the film remains entertaining, although it's certainly lite all around. Mary Brian is great as the love interest and Ruth Donnelly steals the show as her loud mouth mother. There's a nice spoof of the grapefruit scene from The Public Enemy.

As of now this one isn't available on DVD so you'll have to keep your eyes on Turner Classic Movies.

James Cagney sure arrived at hollywood in a hurricane of strong roles. Here, he's the dance hall manager, and when it's time to award the prize contest money, his partner ran off with the cash. so now Lefty has to skip town and start over.... in another con man scheme. and to make it more complicated, he's dating the winner of the first dance contest. Co-stars Mary Brian, Claire Dodd, and mister Nasal, Allen Jenkins. keep an eye out for Sterling Holloway; he had done the voice of Winnie the Pooh (and other disney voices) for years. no-one here is good people... Mom Waters and her daughter keep skipping out on the rent, and Lefty chases after Ruth like a puppy dog, running cons all along the way. We are still in the depression in 1933, so I guess folks do what they gotta do to survive in hard times. Lefty comes up with one final scheme to solve all his problems... but can he pull it off in time? directed by Mervyn LeRoy. nominated for Random Harvest, although he worked on so many big films.... Gypsy, Wizard, Quo Vadis. Certainly interesting as an early Cagney role. the story itself is pretty good, too. partly written by Wilson Mizner, developer, story teller, adventurer.

There's some minor enjoyment to be had in Hard To Handle; Cagney never lets up on a million-volt performance, and there are plenty of familiar faces. Otherwise, the script is rather half-baked, moving through events but not really involving the audience -- good enough for the bottom half of a double feature. See Footlight Parade for what this film fails to do, and you won't have much reason to watch this again.

"Hard to Handle" is one heck of a good movie, with James Cagney in a somewhat different casting. He's still the fast-talking, loud and brazen know it-all that was his usual persona. But his character, Lefty Merrill, has a couple of different twists in this film. He's the brainy guy who comes up with scheme after scheme to make big bucks. He's not an out and out scam artist or shyster, but he operates close to the edge of the law. The difference being that Lefty always pays off - or tries to. He believes in giving the "suckers" the prize. So, the winning person of whatever clever near-scam he comes up with needs to get the prize.

But there are two twists to this guy. First, he gets scammed by his partners or accomplices who take off with the dough. And second, he shows his flabbergast at being taken for a sucker himself. He found it hard to believe that these "friends" were such crooks. It's all very good, and funny. And, it's a Cagney show all the way.

That's saying something in a film where another character seems to be planted to steal the scenes or share the limelight with Cagney. That's the role of Ruth Donnelly as Lil Waters. She's the mother of Ruth Waters, the girl that Lefty really loves. But Lil is out for one thing. She's a gold-bricking mother and would-be mother-in-law of the right chump with the dough. Mary Brian plays Ruth, who's in love with Lefty. Lil tries to dissuade her for a man who can make something of himself, if he isn't already a millionaire. But, whoops, Lefty comes into the money with a new scheme and Lil is all for him. Then, another partner or associate runs out on Lefty, and Lil is back to telling Ruth she should have nothing to do with the bum.

The part of Lil is okay and good for some laughs, but Donnelly plays it so overboard that she seems to be a constant whinner and complainer. So her character soon gets on one's nerves and, I think, detracts some from the film. At the least, I found her distracting from the fun and energy of the film.

But this is a good comedy all-around, thanks to Cagney. And, several very good supporting actors of the day have good roles. Here are a couple of favorite lines.

Ruth Waters, after hugging Lefty, "Oh, you hurt me." Lefty Merrill, "That's love."

Lefty Merrill, "I'm going to show you something that will swell your heart up to the size of a peanut."

Lefty Merrill, "Why, I'm as innocent as an unborn baby."

I have seen this numerous times and loved it the same each time. Being a devout cagney fan I love all his traits and especially his laughter.

Don't get me wrong he plays the script and follows his lines but as any actor has he has his own mannerisms and quirky ways.

This is the story of a con man who teams up with the usual blonde with one exception he gets the battleaxe mother too and she is exceptionally funny with it. Cagney laughs in every scene as he goes from one con to another. His energy is big, it's like he is dancing through this film.

The usual ups and downs, dumb blondes, twists and double crossings make this a short, energetic film a good one.

Overall funny film, fun and happy times.

Early James Cagney movie about a broke hustler who wants to marry a girl but her shrewish mother is dead set on making sure her daughter marries into money. I feel like I'm missing something here. I love Cagney movies and this one has a good score and some positive reviews. Yet I wasn't impressed with it. Cagney's the whole show with a boundless energy that is enjoyable enough but the story is just weak. I didn't laugh once and this is supposed to be (at least partially) a comedy. I also see some praise for Ruth Donnelly but she really got on my nerves throughout the whole picture. It's really more of how the part is written than her acting. I'd still recommend it to Cagney fans but others might be better off finding something else to do for an hour.

I'm tempted to say that this is the best film I've ever seen. Obviously it's not but when you're watching it, you believe it is. Cagney is more Cagney than you ever thought possible - he's brilliant, the film is brilliant!

It's like he's been put in a bottle, shaken then released like never ending champagne exploding into your face. Every word he says is like a firework and Mervyn LeRoy's dynamic direction fills every single second with energy and sheer happy, warm fun. You know that this is neither a classic nor clever picture but It's inexplicably entertaining and thoroughly engaging.

Mary Brian is the billed as the lead female she's a bit of a non-entity, the real co-star is Ruth Donnelly as his prospective mercenary mother-in-law. She gives Cagney a run for his money, firing back wisecracks as fast as John McEnroe. Rarely has she been allowed to shine as much as she does in this. She is genuinely funny and she and Cagney make a brilliant comedy double act.

Comedy can age really badly - even comedies from just a decade ago can seem cringingly creaky. Tastes in the early thirties were clearly different to today's but because this is neither too 'left-field' or overly subtle it is still funny. It's so professionally acted, expertly directed, deftly written and above all, so crazily fast that you don't notice that it's actually just a silly light comedy. When you're watching this you're as happy as a dog that's discovered it's been locked in a butcher's shop. Guaranteed enjoyment!

I am a true big fan of James Cagney! I have seen several of his films. He never fails to entertain. It matters not if he is playing a hoodlum baddie or a sweet romantic dreamer, he still creates a part that is all his own. I wonder if he was as charming in real life?

In this film, Cagney is cheated by his partner and when the locals come to cash in, he takes it on the lam and runs out of town. He goes to New York and starts more schemes and cons to get ahead. He is in love and loved by Mary Brian. The funny thing about Brian is that she only loves Cagney when he is struggling and close to being in trouble. When Cagney does well, Brian is not interested in him.

The film also has a wonderful character of Mary Brian's mother, played by Ruth Donnelly. Donnelly is so witty and fun. She has the best one liners and she holds her own in scenes against the wise-cracking Cagney.

This film does not disappoint. It is sweet and witty and fun. It moves very fast too from one scheme to the next. Cagney, Brian, and Donnelly make a great trio!

One of Cagney's previous films, "The Public Enemy", has the infamous scene that has him smashing a grapefruit into the face of Mae Clarke. In this film, he gets involved in the produce market promoting grapefruits and he even has a line where he says he has never ever seen a grapefruit. Pretty funny if you are familiar with the previous film.

So sit back and relax for the next 80 minutes and let Cagney entertain you in the only way that he can!! A great Classy Classic for you to experience.

"Just a second, don't get your pants in an uproar."

Gee, maybe they should bring back marathon dance competitions. That's how this film opens, with James Cagney's character having set one up, and about to divide a big profit from it with his partner. It's a crooked business, and throughout the film Cagney is running around literally and figuratively, from one confidence scheme to the next. He has amazing screen presence and is simply fantastic, and Ruth Donnelly more than keeps up with him as his shrewd potential mother-in-law.

Everyone is scheming here - his partner in the dance competition, who makes off with all the money, Donnelly's character, who sells off her furnished apartment's furniture and skips town owing a couple of months rent, and of course Cagney, who gets a couple hundred dollars by cooking up a scheme for a crowd to find hidden money out on the boardwalk, dashing away when he sees they've become an unruly mob tearing the place apart. "The world is like a cow, bellowing to be milked and if you're smart, you'll get yourself a bucket," he says while pitching one of his ideas.

Later, we see that the wealthy are hardly above the fray, as the rich old lady he gets to endorse what she calls his "axle grease" of a product drives a hard bargain for what she'll be paid for it, and his partner in a grapefruit business makes off to Rio de Janeiro with his daughter at the first sign of legal trouble. (It was pretty clever to his final scheme involving investing in grapefruit, a nod of course to 'The Public Enemy').

Donnelly is a big part of why I liked this film, as the role is funny and she is perfect for it. She always dresses like her daughter, talks in the plural when it's about her, and aggressively looks out for her to marry into money. She also has an acerbic tongue, which is masked a little bit by her delightful little pauses which suggest other words. "You better come back with that five hundred bucks or I'll put my foot right in your...kisser," she tells Cagney. "Don't wear this. Wear your blue dress. It shows more of your...girlish laughter," she tells her daughter.

The film fades a teeny bit when Cagney's character hits it big, first by convincing a cosmetics company to market its product fraudulently as a "reducing cream," but Claire Dodd livens things up by flirting heavily with him and letting him know in no uncertain terms that she's available to him. They're seen having breakfast, which is code in the day for having spent the night together, a scene only possible pre-Code. (And in fact, how Cagney is the protagonist who ultimately gets away with it all wouldn't be permitted when the code began being enforced).

This isn't a perfect film but it sure was full of life and entertaining to me, with its snappy dialogue and engaging characters. Lots of fun, and worth 78 minutes.

There's something about James Cagney that I've liked since seeing him in "The Public Enemy." He's so opposite and different than your William Powells, Gary Coopers, and Ricardo Cortezes. He was a tough guy and never once did I see him in the high society role.

In "Hard to Handle" James plays Lefty Merrill, a fast talking idea-man who could rightly be called a con man. He went for the big, ostentatious money making schemes that involved many participants.

He got himself in hot water in southern California when his "partner" split with all their money during the prize ceremony of a dance contest. Lefty's girlfriend, Ruth Waters (Mary Brian), won the contest and was to be awarded $1000. Before Lefty could publicly present her with the money his partner cleaned him out. To make matters worse, Ruth's mother, Lil (Ruth Donnelly), stirred the crowd of onlookers into a frenzy ready to tear Lefty apart. He was barely able to escape with his life, but he'd need some dough, and fast, if he was to keep Lil from moving to New York with her daughter.

He got the money, but Lil was a bit of a con woman herself. She'd took off to New York before Lefty could reunite with Ruth.

Lefty found Ruth in New York, but he was going to have to get through the guard dog known as Lil Waters if he wanted any kind of life with Ruth. And the only appeasement for Lil "Golddigging" Waters was greenbacks. Lefty would have to get a lot of them or potentially lose his love to John Hayden (Gavin Gordon), a model photographer.

I loved this movie mostly because I'm a fan of James Cagney. I wanted to see him win. I wanted him to go legit, make money, and get the girl.